Faculty of Theology

Lecture series: "Wozu Theologie?" (WS 2009/2010)

Public lecture series of Georg August University and the Academy of Sciences in Göttingen during the winter semester 2009/2010
Dienstags 18.00 Uhr c.t., Aula der Universität, Wilhelmsplatz 1.



The purpose of this semester’s lecture series (Ringvorlesung) is to present an introduction into the various disciplines of Protestant Theology (Hebrew Bible, New Testament, Church History, Ethics, Systematic Theology, Practical Theology and Religious Studies) and their specific academic questions. At the same time, the series aims at offering a concrete picture of how Protestant Theology functions within the context of a secular University and where one can find natural affinities to other – non-theological – disciplines.

The internal perspective from inside the theological disciplines is combined with an external one – here neighbouring fields offer reflections on the significance of academic theology. The following pairings are offered: the exegetical disciplines are paired with literary criticism and comparative literature (Literaturwissenschaft), History engages with Church History, ethics with Law and Political Science. Systematic Theology is paired with Philosophy and Art History offers reflections on Practical Theology. In addition the lectures address the problem of the relationship between Theology and Religious Studies.

This unique combination of external and internal perspective highlights the significance of the lecture series, especially within the context of the continuous debate about the academic position and significance of the discipline of Theology within the universitas litterarum. In contrast to previous attempts to justify the existence of a Faculty of Theology within a secular university by simply referring to the historical argument, i.e. the statement that such a Faculty has been part of any University from the beginning, the lectures aim at answering the question in a more systematic way.

The combination of external and internal perspectives helps to clarify the role of Protestant Theology as well as its position within the compound of academic subjects and at the same time illuminates its significance for the idea of humanity, the value system, historical consciousness and culture in general as well as for the eschatological presuppositions of the occidental tradition. Here it is apparent that the lectures will offer fundamental insights into the significance of Christianity for Europe’s intellectual foundations.


Christine Axt-Piscalar/ Joachim Ringleben


Programm:


  • 20. Oktober 2009 • Prof. Dr. Christoph Landmesser, Tübingen
    Die Bibel als Interpretation der Welt. Die Exegese in der Wissenschaft

  • 27. Oktober 2009 • Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Heinrich Detering, Göttingen
    Grenzen des Lebens – Grenzen der Sprache

  • 03. November 2009 • Prof. Dr. Thomas Kaufmann, Göttingen
    Theologie und Politik in der Reformation

  • 10. November 2009 • Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Heinz Schilling, Berlin
    Luther mit und ohne Theologie

  • 17. November 2009 • Prof. Dr. Hans-Michael Heinig, Göttingen
    Theologische Fakultäten an Universitäten.
    Verfassungsrechtliche Vorgaben – verfassungsrechtliche Spielräume

  • 24. November 2009 • Prof. Dr. Reiner Anselm, Göttingen
    Religiöse Überzeugungen und politische Entscheidungen.
    Überlegungen aus Sicht der theologischen Ethik

  • 01. Dezember 2009 • Prof. Dr. Christine Axt-Piscalar, Göttingen
    Selbsterkenntnis und Gotteserkenntnis gehören zusammen

  • 08. Dezember 2009 • Prof. Dr. Volker Gerhardt, Berlin
    Das Göttliche als innere Form

  • 15. Dezember 2009 • Prof. Dr. Joachim Ringleben, Göttingen
    Religion aus Bildung – Bildung durch Religion

  • 12. Januar 2010 • Prof. Dr. Jan Hermelink, Göttingen
    Theologie als Sozialwissenschaft?
    Praktisch-theologische Überlegungen zur Theorie der Gesellschaft

  • 19. Januar 2010 • Prof. Dr. Susanne Wittekind, Köln
    Religion in der Kunst? Entwicklung einer Fragestellung

  • 26. Januar 2010 • Prof. Dr. Hans G. Kippenberg, Bremen
    Bedürfen Theologie und Religionswissenschaft einander?

  • 02. Februar 2010 • Bundesministerin Prof. Dr. Annette Schavan, Berlin
    „In Verantwortung vor Gott und den Menschen“. Gottesbezug als Freiheitsimpuls




Verantwortlich für das Programm: Prof. Dr. Christine Axt-Piscalar, Prof. Dr. Joachim Ringleben